Understanding Changes to Medicaid Home Care in New York

A helpful editorial from Staten Island Live discussed a few important issues related to New York elder law of importance to local residents. Specifically, the story examined some practical and procedural changes to the home care options available for those utilizing the New York Medicaid system. These at-home services are multi-faceted, and it is easy to get confused about how it all works. For one thing, there are various components, including Managed Long Term Care (MLTC), Home Attendant/Housekeeping and Consumer-Director Personal Assistance Program Attendance (CDPAP) .

Helping local residents qualify for these programs while protecting their assets and receiving the help they need is a critical part of the work that the attorneys at our firm do.

The story explains an informational meeting held by an inter-agency countil for aging on the changes to Medicaid, in particular “the privatization of Medicaid home care in New York state due to Medicaid redesign.” As with most Medicaid changes, the alterations are intended to save money. Certain layers of beauracracy have been cut and different fixed payment systems putt in place in the hopes of controlling costs. In addition, details about who will provide the at-home service has changed. Instead of working with a government agency in most cases those in need of help will work with private companies who provide the necessary flexible care options.

All of these means different things depending on whether you are thinking about seeking Medicaid services or if you are already enrolled in the program. Obviously those just joining in the program will begin by utilizing this new arrangment. However, those currently using Medicaid will slowly be brought into the new system. That likely means current Medicaid participants will soon begin receiving information on what they need to do to convert to the different system. That will include joining a Managed Long-Term Care plan. There are different kinds of MLTC plans, including partially capitated and full capitated. The full capitated program is more comprehensive, involving not only at-home care, but primary, acute, acute hosptial, behavioral and other forms of care.

It easy to get confused about these and similar details regarding the Medicaid system. That is particuarly true in the wake of recent changes. For help, be sure to contact an elder law attorney who can guide you through the process and ensure all long-term care and estate issues are handled together to maximize your interests.